Respect Life

The Archdiocese of St. Louis launched a new website in its efforts raise public support for the campaign to defund Planned Parenthood, and to address the issues raised by the recently released Planned Parenthood videos.

The videos, released by the Center for Medical Progress, are available for viewing on the site along with information about what you can do to help in this effort. The Archdiocese hopes to awaken Catholics and all people of good will to the horrors of abortion and the "harvesting" of fetal remains.

Bouquet Of Life

If you know a pregnant person, visit the Bouquet of Life located near the votive candles at the back of church. Take a rose, tie a name card on it. Write mother’s/father’s name and baby’s due date on the card. Place the rose it in the vase. Parishioners are asked to pray for these unborn babies and their families. When your baby is born you may take the rose and give it to the family for their child’s Baptism Day.

"Pray Always!"

Bishop Rivituso repeated this short, but powerful phrase multiple times during his homily at the 2018 Annual Memorial Mass on Jan. 27. His words remind us that no matter what we do in the pro-life movement, it must always start with prayer.

The power of prayer is easily experienced at events such as the Roe v. Wade Memorial Mass, but it can't stop there.

We must commit to pray for every hurting woman, child, and family who comes to us for pastoral care through the LifeLine Coalition agencies, Project Rachel, Project Joseph, and sidewalk counseling.

Prayer must also permeate our pro-life education efforts such as the Right START program, Respect Life Convention, Creative Writing Contest, and the various pro-life events in our community, school, and parish.

Over 700 Catholics and members of the St. Louis Respect Life Movement gathered at the Cathedral Basilica on Saturday, Jan. 27 for the RLA's Annual Memorial Mass and prayer vigil. Together, they solemnly remembered the near 60 million unborn lives lost to legalized abortion since 1973, and the countless women, men, and families whose lives have been tragically impacted.

St. Louis Auxiliary Bishop Mark Rivituso celebrated the Mass and challenged and inspired all in attendance to "pray always so that we may indeed be a powerful witness to the Gospel of Life in all of our activities and events for pro-life." The Bishop also personally received donations from parishes throughout the Archdiocese to the LifeLine Coalition, a group of social service and pro-life agencies who help 10,000 women and families facing crisis pregnancies each year.

A Rose Procession was held right before Mass in which one person born each year between 1973 and 2018 carried up a single rose to represent the lives lost during his or her birth year.

Directly following Mass, nearly 500 people also took part in a peaceful rosary walk to and from Planned Parenthood. Bishop Rivituso led the pro-life witnesses of all ages in prayer which included seminarians, priests, religious, young adults, families with young children, singles, and seniors. This group included the 150 members of Crusaders for Life from Chicago who attend the event each year as part of their Midwest respect life pilgrimage.

The Annual Memorial Mass has been held each January since 2000 near the Roe v. Wade anniversary. The event is part of the RLA's Helpers of Gods Precious Infants program, in which volunteers gather each month to pray for all those impacted by abortion and give public witness to the sanctity of human life. Learn more here.

Many Catholic politicians and commentators used the March for Life on Jan. 19 and the recent failure of the U.S. Senate to pass the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act to publicly contradict the very tenets of their own faith on the sanctity of human life. It must be noted that the Catholic Church is opposed to abortion as "gravely contrary to the moral law." Catholics are bound to accept this teaching and cannot compromise for the sake of pragmatism.

St. Mother Teresa once said abortion is the "greatest destroyer of love and peace." Pope Francis has bluntly called abortion the "murder of an innocent person."

Women in difficult situations facing an unplanned pregnancy need not resort to violence against their child. Numerous organizations, including theCatholic Church, stand ready to assist women materially and spiritually. We offer hope, healing, and forgiveness to anyone wounded or impacted by an abortion experience.

Regardless of the political climate, we find hope in Pope John Paul II's prophetic words: "In God's plan, life will be victorious."

The Respect Life Apostolate extends best wishes and congratulations to Marlene Kren upon her retirement as our part-time Accounts Coordinator. Marlene faithfully helped us with all of our financial, donation and bookkeeping needs, overseeing convention registration and ad sales, and staffing various pro-life events around the archdiocese.

Marlene (third from left) was also our behind-the-scenes prayer warrior as a daily Mass goer and office decorator extraordinaire. She joined the staff in 2011, serving the needs of the St. Louis Respect Life Movement for seven years. Executive Director Karen Nolkemper and the RLA staff will greatly miss Marlene's prayerful presence, amazing organizational ability, and gentle sense of humor.

She'll continue her pro-life mission as an RLA volunteer and devoting her time to her grandbabies, children, and husband Dave.

Join the St. Anselm pro-life committee for their "Red and White Party," which includes cocktails, dinner, dancing, and entertainment. Held at the St. Anselm parish center in Creve Coeur, proceeds benefit Birthright St. Louis, Our Lady's Inn, and Coalition for Life St. Louis. Call 314-580-1708 for more information.

Wednesday, Feb. 14Coalition for Life's 40 Days for Life Kickoff Rally

Prayerfully and peacefully help end abortion by participating in the 40 Days for Life Campaign "A Season of Yearning." This biannual prayer vigil unites approximately 3,500 volunteers from multiple faith backgrounds throughout the bi-state area and beyond. The kickoff rally starts at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 14 in front of Planned Parenthood. Call 314-827-4039 or click here for more information.

Saturday, Feb. 17Archdiocesan Helpers Mass & Rosary

Pray and bear witness with the St. Louis Respect Life Movement at the third Saturday Helpers Mass starting at 8 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica. Since 2000, priests throughout the archdiocese have taken turns offering this monthly Mass and leading the rosary walk to and from Planned Parenthood to inspire moms and families facing crisis pregnancies to choose life. Click here to learn more or email prolife@archstl.org.

Thursday, Feb. 22Touched by Infertility:Mass of Community

Join the Archdiocesan Enkindle Infertility Support Ministry for their Mass of Community starting at 7 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Parish (Brentwood). The Mass, celebrated by Fr. Jack Siefert, offers couples dealing with infertility and pregnancy loss a chance to pray together for hope and healing. A reception and time of fellowship will follow. Contact the NFP Office at 314-997-7576 or click here for more details.

Now through Friday, Feb. 23Archdiocesan Respect Life Creative Writing Contest

Encourage the Catholic 8th graders in your family, parish, and school to enter our annual writing competition. Students planning on attending one of our amazing Catholic high schools or enrolling in an accredited Catholic home school program can compete for five partial scholarships and five honorable mention prizes. Submissions are being accepted now through Friday,Feb. 23. To enter, click here or contact the RLAat prolife@archstl.org or 314-792-7555.

Monday, March 12Archdiocesan RLAParish Coordinators Meeting

Fellowship with other parish coordinators throughout the Archdiocese for our bi-monthly meet-up: hear a dynamic pro-life presentation, pray, get a legislative update, and discover the latest news, events and programs from the RLA. We'll gather in the Archbishop May Room at the Rigali Center starting at 7 p.m. New parish coordinators are encouraged to come a half-hour early at 6:30 for a short training session. Click here or contact the RLA at prolife@archstl.org or 314-792-7555 for more information.

Tuesday, March 13Show Me Life Lobby Day in Jefferson City

Join the Respect Life Apostolate and other pro-life leaders, organizations, and individuals from across the state for the annual Show Me Life Lobby Day organized by Missouri Right to Life. Meet our state legislators, fellowship with other pro-life Missourians, be informed and inspired at the noon rally, and wear red for life! Buses are leaving from several places around the archdiocese. Call 573-635-5110 or click here for further details.

Saturday, March 31Friends of Birthright's Run for Life & Learning

Support this annual fundraiser which benefits the education, scholarship, and housing needs of Birthright St. Louis clients. Registration starts at 7 a.m. at Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park followed by the 6K run/walk at 8:30. Register online by clicking hereor calling 314-962-5300.

Project Rachel &Project Joseph

The services of Project Rachel and Project Joseph are available to anyone who has been wounded by an abortion experience and is seeking healing. Services include: free, confidential professional counseling, monthly spiritual support group meetings, healing retreats, spiritual direction, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Click here to learn more.

Project Rachel Spiritual Support Group: Thursday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. Contact Marisol at 314.792.7451 or by email for more details.

Project Joseph Spiritual Support Group: Monday, March 5, 7 p.m. Contact Chuck at 314-974-6787 or by email for details.

Join us for our next Helpers Mass & Rosary at the Cathedral Basilica on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 8 a.m. Fr. David Skillman from St. Gerard Majella Parish will be the celebrant and lead the rosary procession.

If you would like to register your school or learn more about being a Right START volunteer, contact Terry at terrytrafton@archstl.org.

Did you know...

That religious groups like the Little Sisters of the Poor are now federally exempt from having to provide contraception and abortion insurance coverage?Sadly, eight states are now challenging this religious exemption to the ACA.

Helpers of God's Precious InfantsMass & RosaryEvery 3rd Saturday Cathedral Basilica at 8:00 amDid you know that abortions are performed only 8 blocks away from our Cathedral Basilica? First reactions to this might be outrage or sadness. Rather, this close proximity of good and evil is a great opportunity for hope and change. Helpers of God’s Precious Infants can help to make this happen. On the third Saturday of every month, you are invited to the 8:00 am Mass and prayer vigil at the Cathedral Basilica. After Mass the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for Adoration. All who are able are invited to pray the rosary during a peaceful procession to the abortion facility at Forest Park and Boyle. Upon return to the Cathedral, all participate in Benediction. For more information call the Respect Life Apostolate at 314-792-7555.

Do you live with the pain of an abortion?
Do you still feel anger, guilt or sadness even though the abortion was years ago? You may think your actions could never be understood and certainly not able to be forgiven. These emotions are common results of abortion. Healing and forgiveness are possible through Project Rachel. Specially trained counselors can help you experience Christ’s peace.

Every 4th Thursday

Project Rachel Spiritual Support Group 7:00 pm (exceptions may orrur in dates, please go to archstl.org to verify)

Every 1st Monday

Project Joseph Spiritual Support Group 7:00 pm (exceptions may orrur in dates, please go to archstl.org to verify)

Project Rachel and Project Joseph provide healing and hope to women and men wounded by abortion through the following:

Free, confidential, professional counseling for anyone who has been wounded by an abortion experience.

Monthly spiritual support group meetings

Women's Retreats and Men's Retreats, based on the Entering Canaan model.

Spiritual Direction or Reconciliation

To learn more about healing after abortion, please call (314)792-7565 or e-mail ProjectRachel@archstl.org or ProjectJoseph@archstl.org.

MO Tax Credits for Pregnancy Resource Centers

In compliance with MO laws, the Pregnancy Resource Center Tax Credit program allows taxpayers to claim a tax credit equal to 50% of their donations to a qualified center such as Birthright. To be eligible, the donation total for the year must be at least $100.

This is not a deduction. This is a credit. Therefore, you do not have to itemize deductions to receive this credit. For example if you donate $100 to Birthright, you will receive a credit of $50 on your MO Tax Return ($200 donation = $100 credit, etc.) The amount of the claimed tax credit may not exceed the amount of the taxpayer’s MO income tax liability for the year the credit is being claimed.

Birthright of Hillsboro (636)789-3518 will supply you with the application & will submit all the info to MO. MO will then send you the credit to use on your income tax return.